Youth festivals in France

Youth festivals in France

<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />France welcomes you to its grand-scale shows. Famous French and international artists make festivals in France not-to-be-missed events. They generally last several days and alternate between music genres: even though you may have a greater opportunity to come across a rock festival, electronic music, reggae and ska are also on hand. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

Le Printemps de Bourges begins the festival season on April 19. Founded in 1977, this festival celebrates its 29th anniversary this year. It lasts six days and attracts more than 40 shows and 140 artists in seven auditoriums (ranging from 300 to 5,500 seats). However, you can also enjoy rhythms in more unconventional venues, such as abbeys and cellars.

June is when the festival season really gets going in France. Visit Evreux from June 24 to 25, and attend the 22nd season of Rock dans tous ses états. During the two-day festival, one can explore the many facets of modern music through both famous and unknown artists.

For its 16th season, the Eurockéennes de Belfort (beginning July 3) will invite eclectic artists ranging from rock, metal, pop, electronica and African percussion styles. There's something for everyone!

Aix-les-Bains will host Musilac on the shores of Bourget Lake from July 8 to 10. Musilac was created four years ago, out of a desire to launch the summer festival season with a great event whose fame would reach across the Savoie area's borders. It is currently the key event of the Rhône-Alpes. Numerous artists, such as Peter Gabriel and The Cure, have attended past seasons.

La Rochelle puts on one of the most prestigious festivals from July 12 to 17: les Francofolies. The Francophone company is undergoing quite a boom in the public's and artists' interests. Since 1985, more than 1,800 artists, of whom 70% are up-and-coming, have participated in Francofolies. The festival takes place in six areas over six days and six nights.

Les Vieilles Charrues in Carhaix entertains visitors from July 22 to 24 with multiple artists, such as Pierre Perret and Ben Harper. It is a 14-year-old "labor-of-love" that gives 170,000 spectators the chance to pulsate each summer in the heart of Brittany.

And now it's August! The summer continues with a festival of another sort, the Reggae Sun Ska Festival in Cissac Médoc in the Gironde. The festival takes place August 5 to 8. Over the years, it has become the most important festival in the southwest, celebrating Caribbean and African cultures.

Return to Brittany August 12 to 14 for la Route du Rock in Saint-Malo: an independent music program, extending a warm welcome in a majestic setting (no more than 11,000 spectators each night).

As part of this pumping festival season, we find ourselves at the Rendez-Vous Electroniques from September 9 to 18 in Paris and Ile-de-France. One of the greatest moments in the electronica culture, its goal is to help people understand this style of music. The main event will be the Techno-Parade, which will criss-cross Paris' streets on September 10th.

October: From the 28th to the 31st, Rockomotives at Vendôme in the Loir-et-Cher. For 12 years this festival has offered plenty of surprises and discoveries. Always centered on rock, pop and electronica, the festival introduces numerous up-and-coming artists by presenting them with other famous musicians.

France's festival calendar ends in December with les Transmusicales in Rennes. This event alone summarizes the emancipation of rock and newer styles of music in France: electronica; techno; hip-hop; trip-hop and dance.

In more than 20 years, France has become a popular destination in the world of modern music, attracting many popular artists. What a great idea: marry French heritage with the music we love!